Kargil, May 01: Stating that that under the cooperative model envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, multiple programmes are being implemented simultaneously in Ladakh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that women of Kargil can bring prosperity into their lives by joining the empowerment launched by the Centre.
Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of a 10,000 litres per day dairy plant in Kargil and launching a series of dairy development initiatives for Ladakh through virtual mode, Shah, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “In a high-altitude region like Kargil, the foundation stone has been laid for a dairy plant with a capacity of 10 TLPD (10,000 litres per day). Women of Kargil can bring prosperity into their lives through this dairy plant, support their families, and become self-reliant.”.
Shah said that he comes from a region where women, through similar small dairy initiatives, have achieved a turnover of ₹1,25,000 crore. He expressed confidence that women here too have the potential to contribute to their families and children’s education.
He said that the new ₹25 crore project will prove to be a blessing for the mothers and sisters of Kargil. “Daily production has begun at the milk plant already operating in Leh,” Shah added.
He said that ITBP and the Army are major buyers in Ladakh, with around 18,000 soldiers stationed at the borders. He expressed confidence that their requirements of milk, curd, and paneer will be met by this plant.
He further stated that a mobile laboratory costing ₹45 lakh has also been launched, which will greatly help in maintaining milk quality. He said that the Android-based AMCS app has also been launched, enabling dairy farmers to transparently monitor their milk accounts on a single platform. This will also boost their confidence. He added that the five livestock farmers who were honoured today are an inspiration for all livestock farmers of Kargil and Leh.
Shah said that Ladakh Milk Federation and Mother Dairy have signed an agreement, which will connect Ladakh to national markets. He said that Ladakh’s organic products should get access to the large market of Delhi. He urged the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to facilitate a tripartite MoU with the National Cooperative Organic Limited. He added that while Mother Dairy products should be sold here, arrangements should also be made for marketing Ladakh’s products across the country through Mother Dairy and other cooperatives.
The Union Cooperation and Home Minister said that dairy infrastructure in Ladakh will be expanded further. A new plant with a capacity of 50,000 litres per day will be established in Leh at a cost of ₹70 crore. “This will tap the growing potential in Leh and will also complement the Kargil plant as milk production increases,” he said, adding, “Efforts will be made to provide high-yield breeds of cows and buffaloes suited to the region’s climate. Approximately 500 such animals will be provided annually to boost milk production.”
He noted that Ladakh has extreme cold conditions and low oxygen levels, so research-based animal breeds suited to these conditions will be introduced. He said there is a plan to nearly triple the livestock population over the next 10 years and expressed confidence that people will respond positively.
He added that after the agreement between Ladakh Milk Federation and NDDB, the network has reached 28 villages with about 1700 milk producers connected. He urged NDDB to expand its reach to as many villages as possible where animal husbandry is feasible and improve the livelihoods of livestock farmers.
Shah said that daily milk procurement has reached around 7000 kilolitres and should be increased to 21,000 kilolitres in the next four years to enhance farmers’ prosperity. He also mentioned that an existing dairy plant has been upgraded and its capacity doubled from 5 TLPD to 10 TLPD. The MoU with the Army will further benefit it.
He said that since 2014, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, there has been a major transformation in India’s livestock and dairy sector, with several revolutionary reforms in the animal husbandry sector.
He stated that India’s milk production was 146 million tonnes in 2014–15. From independence till 2014–15, it reached 146 million tonnes in 70 years, but from 2014–15 to 2024–25, it increased to 248 million tonnes. This means a 70% increase in just 10 years, with 50% of that growth in the last 5 years. He added that per capita milk availability has increased from 307 grams in 2013–14 to 485 grams now.
He said that India has achieved this through 2,36,000 cooperative societies and nearly 2 crore milk producers. A target has been set to establish 75,000 new milk societies in five years, and efforts are being made to modernize 46,000 existing ones. Out of the 75,000, 21,000 new societies have already been formed.
The Union Cooperation Minister urged the Ladakh administration to tap the potential of every village where dairy and animal husbandry are feasible.
He said that cooperative societies related to pashmina, organic products, and honey will also be established in the coming days. (KNO)
